Early Nation Quiz

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Question 1

What was the main difference between Federalists and Anti-Federalists?

A

Federalists wanted independence from Britain, but Anti-Federalists wanted to remain as British colonies.

B

Anti-Federalists wanted independence from Britain, but Federalists wanted to remain as British colonies.

C

Federalists wanted a weak national government and strong state governments, but Anti-Federalists wanted a strong national government and weak state governments.

D

Anti-Federalists wanted a weak national government and strong state governments, but Federalists wanted a strong national government and weak state governments.

Question 1 Explanation:

The fight between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists was essentially the fight over whether the Articles of Confederation would remain the core of the American government (the will of the Anti-Federalists) or if the Articles would be scrapped for a new arrangement that involved a much stronger federal government (the will of the Federalists).

Question 2

What was the main difference between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan brought forth at the Constitutional Convention?

A

The Virginia Plan called for legislative representatives to be proportional to the number of citizens in each state, while the New Jersey Plan called for a single representative for each state regardless of population.

B

The New Jersey Plan called for the abolition of slavery while the Virginia Plan called for legalized slavery in all 13 states.

C

The New Jersey Plan called for an electoral college system to elect the president, while the Virginia Plan called for a popular election.

D

The Virginia Plan and New Jersey plan were virtually identical; each state just wanted credit for the idea.

Question 2 Explanation:

The dispute over the two plans would end in compromise. The bicameral legislature laid out in the United States Constitution is a mix of each style of representation: The House of Representatives has representatives in number proportional to each state’s population, and the Senate has two representatives for each state regardless of population.

Question 3

Why did Anti-Federalists, such as George Mason, push for the inclusion of a bill of rights in the United States Constitution.

A

Anti-Federalists wanted to ensure the Constitution would not gain enough state approval to replace the Articles of Confederation.

B

Anti-Federalists were worried that without a guarantee of certain rights, the federal government could overstep their bounds and encroach upon its citizens’ freedoms.

C

Anti-Federalists wanted to mirror the constitutions of other successful governments.

D

Anti-Federalists wanted to give the federal government more power.

Question 3 Explanation:

Although its creation was largely a nod to the American Anti-Federalist movement, the Bill of Rights would go on to become one of the most important aspects of the United States Constitution. By clearly defining the essential rights of citizens rather than simply spelling out the powers of government, the United States government was established with the freedoms of its people at the forefront.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the type of government created by the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution?

A

Democracy

B

Republic

C

Dictatorship

D

Theocracy

Question 4 Explanation:

The United States is a republic where citizens elect representatives to make governmental decisions on their behalf.

Question 5

How did the political power of the American federal government change from The Articles of Confederation to The Constitution?

A

The federal government’s power was greatly increased under the Constitution.

B

The federal government was weakened under the Constitution.

C

State governments were given more power under the Constitution.

D

The federal government lost the power to tax under the Constitution.

Question 5 Explanation:

The Articles of Confederation created a government where states held the majority of the power to govern themselves. The federal government existed primarily as a means to unify the states for military purposes should the need arise. In contrast, the Constitution gave the federal government significantly more power to do things like tax, regulate trade, and settle disputes between states.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the election of George Washington as America’s first president:

A

The American public elected George Washington in a landslide victory.

B

George Washington was elected unanimously by the Electoral College.

C

George Washington narrowly defeated John Adams to become the first President.

D

George Washington was not elected to the Presidency; he was given this role due to his service and leadership during the Revolutionary War.

Question 6 Explanation:

The first presidential election was held in January of 1789. George Washington was reluctant to get involved, but Alexander Hamilton and others helped convinced him to run. In 1789 only Pennsylvania and Maryland held elections in order to choose their presidential electors. State legislatures chose the electors in all of the other states. Washington received all 69 of the electoral votes, and John Adams was elected as Vice President.

Question 7

Who did George Washington name as the first Secretary of the Treasury?

A

Alexander Hamilton

B

John Adams

C

Henry Knox

D

Thomas Jefferson

Question 7 Explanation:

Washington was impressed with Alexander Hamilton’s business exploits as well as his sound understanding of economics. Without Hamilton’s leadership, America would have had a difficult time navigating the financial hardships associated with starting a new nation.

Question 8

What tactic did Alexander Hamilton use to get the Southern states to agree to his plan for the federal government to pay off the states’ war debts?

A

Hamilton threatened to withhold future federal funds from states that did not go along with his repayment plan.

B

States that did not support his plan would be considered outside the realm of American military protection.

C

Hamilton agreed to move the nation’s capital into the South.

D

Hamilton was able to gather enough votes in Congress to overrule the Southern states’ objections.

Question 8 Explanation:

Washington, D.C. remains America’s capital to this day thanks to this deal struck by Hamilton. By using land from Virginia and Maryland to build the new capital, the Southern states felt they had a true stake in the new nation despite paying for war debts that were mainly accumulated by the Northern states.

Question 9

What was the main source of revenue for the new American government in the 1790s?

A

Sales tax

B

Income tax

C

Tariffs on imports

D

Donations from the states

Question 9 Explanation:

Nearly all of the money raised by the early American government was through taxes on goods imported from Europe. Hamilton’s hope was that the tariffs would help America raise money in the short term while motivating Americans to develop their own industry for long term growth.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes Hamilton’s argument in favor of establishing a national bank:

A

A national bank would enable the government to issue loans to struggling Americans.

B

A national bank would provide a safe place to keep the money that the United States had acquired from Britain after winning the Revolutionary War.

C

The United States would lose business to the banks of other nations if they did not create one of their own.

D

A national bank was necessary in order to stabilize and improve the nation's credit.

Question 10 Explanation:

Hamilton stated that, "The tendency of a national bank is to increase public and private credit. The former gives power to the state for the protection of its rights and interests, and the latter facilitates and extends the operations of commerce amongst individuals."

Question 11

What brought about the end of the Whiskey Rebellion?

A

President George Washington asserted the Presidency's powers to enforce federal law, by force when necessary.

B

The whiskey tax was repealed.

C

Western Pennsylvania began the process of creating a new government independent of the United States.

D

The federal government raised taxes further on bartered goods.

Question 11 Explanation:

Pennsylvania farmers had the right to protest the whiskey tax that they felt unfairly targeted them and their largely barter-based economy. However, when farmers refused to pay the tax, they were in violation of the law. When it became clear that the taxes were not being paid and the protests were turning violent, Washington sent in the army to successfully end the rebellion. Washington’s response to the 1794 rebellion was one of the first major tests for the young republic.

Question 12

How did President George Washington’s involve America in the French Revolution?

A

He supplied the French rebels with weapons, but decided not to commit American soldiers to the conflict.

B

He couldn’t spare money or supplies for the French rebels, but he did commit American soldiers to the conflict.

C

He sent supplies and soldiers to France in order to help the French rebels overthrow their government.

D

He decided to remain neutral in the conflict.

Question 12 Explanation:

Despite the fact that France provided America with military and financial support during the Revolutionary War, Washington issued a formal Proclamation of Neutrality in regards to the French Revolution. America was facing its own challenges with Native Americans and a struggling economy, so Washington did not want to get the nation involved in European affairs.

Question 13

Why did George Washington only serve two terms as president?

A

He lost reelection to his vice president, John Adams.

B

The Constitution barred presidents from serving a third term.

C

He did not seek reelection to a third term.

D

He was too sick to remain in office.

Question 13 Explanation:

While he was under no obligation to do so, Washington refused to seek a third term (despite many who urged him to maintain his post). This established the tradition of a maximum of two terms for a president. The only president to serve more than two terms was Franklin D. Roosevelt. Washington's farewell address warned against political parties and foreign entanglements.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the ideological differences between the Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republican Party?

A

Federalists were in favor of a strong national government and a loose interpretation of the Constitution. while the Democratic-Republicans favored stronger state governments and a stricter interpretation of the Constitution.

B

Federalists were focused on protecting farmers and the working class from government overreach, but Democratic-Republicans were more concerned with bolstering the nation’s industries and supporting the wishes of the wealthy.

C

Federalists wanted to expand international trade, while Democratic-Republicans wanted to use tariffs to protect American business.

D

None of the above.

Question 14 Explanation:

The divide between the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans was an extension of the fight that had happened over the Articles of Confederation and Constitution years earlier. The divide would lead to a presidential election in 1796 where the American people would face a choice between candidates of rival parties with vastly different visions for the new nation.

Question 15

What was the result of the election of 1796?

A

Federalist John Adams was elected president and Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson was elected vice president.

B

Federalist John Adams was elected president and fellow Federalist Charles Pinckney was elected vice president.

C

Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson was elected president and Federalist John Adams was elected vice president.

D

Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson was elected president and fellow Democratic-Republican Aaron Burr was elected vice president.

Question 15 Explanation:

Adams won the presidency with 71 electoral votes. According to the Constitution, the second-place vote-getter in the Electoral College was awarded the vice presidency. Following these rules, Thomas Jefferson became vice president, resulting in an executive branch made up of both parties.

Question 16

What was the XYZ Affair?

A

A successful covert attack on the United States by France.

B

The Adams administration’s failed attempt to declare English the national language of the United States.

C

A British plan to trade with the United States that avoided the steep import tariffs.

D

The failed attempt by French government agents to extort a bribe from the United States.

Question 16 Explanation:

In 1797, France sent three agents to meet with an American delegation to demand a bribe. In exchange for a cash payment and a hefty loan, the French would stop capturing American trade ships bound for Britain. The United States refused the bribe request and launched into a “quasi-war” with France that lasted until 1800.

Question 17

What powers were given to the president with the passage of the Alien Acts of 1798?

A

The president could investigate UFO sightings and negotiate with extraterrestrial civilizations.

B

The president could imprison and deport non-citizens who were deemed dangerous or who were from a hostile nation.

C

The president could change immigration policies without the approval of Congress.

D

None of the above.

Question 17 Explanation:

The Alien Acts were a direct response to the growing tensions with France prior to the turn of the 19th century. American citizens were worried about how immigrants who were not legal citizens would act if war were to break out with France or another European nation.

Question 18

Why did the Sedition Act of 1798 face staunch opposition from the American public?

A

The law encroached on American citizen’s rights to free speech and assembly.

B

The law could not effectively be enforced.

C

The law was too weak to achieve its goals.

D

The law was unclear and hard to understand.

Question 18 Explanation:

The Sedition Act made it illegal to speak against the United States government either aloud or in print. The Bill of Rights guaranteed the right to these freedoms, therefore the law was deemed unconstitutional. Some states used their constitutional right to quickly nullify the law prior to its eventual repeal.

Question 19

How did the passage of the Naturalization Act of 1798 affect the path to American citizenship?

A

It decreased the amount of time an immigrant had to be a resident of the United States before becoming a citizen.

B

It increased the amount of time an immigrant had to be a resident of the United States before becoming a citizen.

C

It created a series of committees that were responsible for screening applicants seeking citizenship.

D

It removed legal citizenship from the majority of Americans.

Question 19 Explanation:

This Act increased the residence period necessary for immigrants to become naturalized citizens in the United States from 5 to 14 years. It was promoted as a way to protect national security, but was more likely an effort to decrease the number of voters who disagreed with the Federalist political party.

Question 20

What were the political aims of the Naturalization, Alien, and Sedition Acts?

A

To make the United States more democratic in it’s political practices.

B

To help immigrants who were living in the United States.

C

To bolster relationships between the Federalist and Democratic-Republican political parties.

D

To strengthen the Federalist Party at the expense of the Democratic-Republican Party.

Question 20 Explanation:

These laws were clear attempts to make the federal government and the Federalist Party stronger by eliminating the voices of their adversaries and overstepping their constitutional limits of power. The laws proved so unpopular that many point to their passage as the beginning of the end for the Federalist Party.

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